Homopolar multi-frames (cylinders) generator-motor

ABSTRACT

The main disadvantage of homopolar generators, motors and engines is a small working voltage and a high working current which make it difficult to change parameters of the generators, motors, and engines such as torque, which is important, for example, in motor vehicles where the starting torque is very large. Therefore decreasing the working current (or equivalently increasing the working voltage) at given homopolar generator (motor, engine) power is very important for homopolar devices. The proposed multi-frames (cylinders) generator-motor solves this problem by using a rotor consisting of two or more conductors electrically connected in series. Also, in difference of other homopolar devices, where some continuously-sliding electrical contacts (collectors) are located at the outer edge of rotor that can lead to overheating of the contacts, in the proposed designs all sliding electrical contacts are located at the inner edges of the rotor discs (cylinders) that preventing their overheating.

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/607,522 Filed on Sep. 7, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a DC and AC homopolar generators, motors, and engines. In particular, it relates to motor vehicles where the starting torque is very large.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One problem of existent homopolar generators, motors and engines is a small working voltage and a high working current which make it difficult to change parameters of the generators, motors, and engines such as torque, which is important, for example, in motor vehicles where the starting torque is very large. The high starting torque leads to a significant increase in the current, and therefore to a significant overheating of the electrical circuits, energy losses, and even burns off generators, engines, and motors. Therefore decreasing the working current (or equivalently increasing the working voltage) at given homopolar generator (motor, engine) power is very important for homopolar devices.

The proposed invention solves this problem by using a rotor consisting of two or more conductors electrically connected in series (FIGS. 3 and 4) because the J×B force is applied to each conductor in the rotor.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal schema of a homopolar generator-engine was proposed by Faraday, FIG. 1. In his motor the current goes through the conducting disk between contacts 4 a and 4 b and the J×B force creates the torque forcing the disk to rotate, B is the strength of magnetic field at the rotating disk. The main disadvantage of such homopolar devices is a very small working voltage (about 2-3 V) and a very large working current that makes it difficult to change generator (engine) parameters such as torque.

Phillip Mueller proposed a homopolar multi-disk machine, generator-motor, (U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,894, June 1971); a simplified schema of Mueller's machine illustrating his idea is shown in FIG. 2. The inventor suggests to place coaxial disks in the gap of electromagnet, where the stator disks are fixed to the magnet assembly, and the rotor disks are fixed to the shaft. The stator and rotor disks are electrically in contact in such a manner that the current passing through the disks is directed through all the rotor disks serially and in the same radial direction, FIG. 2; the wires from the battery (or another power supply) are connected to the end rotor disks by the brush-type collector; the electrical contacts between the disks are provided by axially extending annular ribs on the disks. The total torque at the shaft is, obviously, equal the sum of individual torques created by the J×B force at rotor disks (fixed to the shaft). Thus, ideally, this machine would significantly decrease the working currents (or equivalently increase the working voltage) in comparison with Faraday's ordinary homopolar generator-motor, shown in FIG. 1.

However, Mueller's multi-disk machine has significant disadvantages. The main problem with this machine is that the electrical contacts between the disks constantly arc leading to a significant temperature elevation in the ribs and their burning off even at moderate linear velocities between stator and rotor discs. Using brush collectors at the outer edge of rotor disc, see FIG. 2, can also be a big problem due to the large relative velocity between the disk and the brushes.

Incorporating Mueller' idea we propose two modifications of Faraday's homopolar machine—generator, engine, and motor.

I. The First Modification, Homopolar Multi-Cylinder Machine

Let us consider a stator—a cylindrical permanent magnet (or electromagnet) magnetized along its axis with ferromagnetic disks attached at the top and bottom of the magnet 23 and 24, as shown in FIG. 3 a. The upper disk 23 has a hole 24 for the wire, as shown in FIG. 3 b. Let us bolt a non-conductive non-magnetic rod 25 to the ferromagnetic disk, as shown in FIG. 3 a. The continuously-sliding contacts 26 a and 26 b with nonconductive washers are fixed to the magnet and the rode, as shown in FIG. 3 a. Further, let us put the rotor consisting of a conductive hollow “cylinder” 27 in an insulator housing 28 a, 28 b onto the magnet assembly, as shown in FIG. 3 b, attach the rotor to the stator by bearings 29 a and 29 b, and connect the contacts 26 a and 26 b to the power supply 30 by wires 31. As we may see, FIG. 3 b, the J×B force will rotate the rotor—hallow-conductive cylinder. This machine we name a Homopolar Multi-Cylinder Machine.

Connecting many rotor hollow-conductive cylinders in series, as shown in FIG. 3 c, we may conclude that the total torque at the rotor is, obviously, equal the sum of the individual torques created by the J×B force at hollow-conductive cylinders. Thus, using four rotor cylinders, FIG. 3 c, we have to use about one-forth as much current compared to Faraday's generator at a given magnetic field strength to have the same total rotor torque (we have neglected losses in the bearings).

Thus, although the torques, currents, and working voltages for one rotor cylinder are very similar to Faraday's ordinary homopolar generator-motor, by connecting cylinders electrically in series as shown in FIG. 3 c, we may significantly decrease the working currents (or equivalently increase the working voltages), making this motor (engine, generator) very attractive.

The torque applied to the shaft and the induction forces in the rotor cylinders (conductors) limit the shaft rpm of this kind of engine; this issue is discussed in Section III.

We also may conclude that the working currents of the motor shown in FIG. 3 c will be smaller as well as its rotation speed will be smaller (see Section III) compared to the case of “one cylinder” motor, FIG. 3 a at given rotor torque.

Although we use in this machine the same idea as Mueller in his patent, namely the multi-passing of the current through the magnet, there are principal differences between the Mueller's hompolar multi-discs machine and our homopolar machine: we don't use stator discs, we use a different electrical circuit, the magnet designs are different, stator and rotor designs are different. If an electromagnet is used instead of a permanent magnet, then connecting the electromagnet wire with the “rotor” electrical power supply in series the motor becomes universal and can work in ac regime as well, FIG. 3 d.

II. The Second Modification, Homopolar Multi-Frame Machine

Let us consider a rotor, FIG. 4 a, consisting of Π shape conductive frames 32 fixed to conductive rings 33 with nonconductive washers 34. Two brushes (or other continuously-sliding contacts) 35 are attached (bolted or welded) to the each ring, as shown in FIG. 4 a. A general view of hollow cylindrical electromagnet system (with an annual slot) fixed to a hollow nonmagnetic cylinder is shown in FIG. 4 b. All rotor frames are attached to the stationary electromagnet (permanent magnet) structure by bearings 43, FIG. 4 c. The hole along the core of the electromagnet and the hole along the attached nonmagnetic hollow cylinder are used for the wiring of the rotor and the coil, FIGS. 4 b and 4 c. The rotor electrical circuit is the same as in the case of the homopolar multi-cylinder machine and provides electrical connection of the frames in series in the same current direction, FIG. 4 c. Conductive rings with dielectric bushings 44 are fixed to the electromagnet and are used as stationary contacts for frame rotating brushes as shown in FIG. 4 c; near each ring there is a hole for wiring 45. Broken line 46 shows the magnetic field line, and arrows 47 the direction of the current in the frames. As we may see the J×B force will rotate the rotor—frames. We call this type of a machine a homopolar multi-frame machine (engine, motor, generator).

As we may see, although the designs for the homopolar multi-cylinder type machines and homopolar multi-frame type machines are very different, the basic ideas, basic principals used for both machines, are the same. Therefore, all conclusions mentioned for homopolar multi-cylinder type machine also apply to homopolar multi-frame type machine too. Fore example, if the electromagnet in homopolar multi-frame machine is wired with the “rotor” electrical power supply in series, the motor becomes universal and can work in ac regime as well.

It is worth noting, that each frame will be functioning under centrifugal forces, therefore additional masses has to be attached to the frames to compensate for the total forces applied to the core of electromagnet due to the rotation of the frames. In FIG. 4 d we show a possible design of the rotor, which incorporates all frames in one cylinder. This design does not need additional masses to balance centrifugal forces and also allows the application of mechanical load to the rotor.

III. Modeling and Calculations

Since homopolar multi-frame type machines seem to be more attractive than homopolar multi-cylinder type machines we will discuss here multi-frame machine in details and multi-cylinder machines only briefly.

A. Magnetic Field

For the sake of simplicity let us consider a simple model of the proposed homopolar multi-frame machine, FIG. 5. We will assume that the width of the annular slot δ is much smaller than the radius of the slot R, FIG. 5, and that the magnetic permeability of the ferromagnetic stator material μ>>1. Then, neglecting the scattering of the magnetic field in air (the flux of magnetic field is constant in any cross-section of the ferromagnetic stator) and non-homogeneity in the magnetic field in the slot, Maxwell's equation for the magnetic field in the slot B_(δ) can be written as $\begin{matrix} {{{{\int{\frac{B}{\mu \cdot \mu_{0}} \cdot {\mathbb{d}l}}} + \frac{B_{\delta} \cdot \delta}{\mu_{0}}} = {I \cdot N}},} & (1) \end{matrix}$ where μ₀=1.3·10⁻⁶ [T·m/A] is the magnetic vacuum permeability; I is the coil current; N is number of coil loops; and integration is taken along the magnetic field lines dl inside the ferromagnetic stator, along the broken line in FIG. 4 c. For the sake of simplicity we will assume further that μ·δ>>L then we obtain from Eq. (1) $\begin{matrix} {B_{\delta} = {\frac{I \cdot N \cdot \mu_{0}}{\delta}.}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

In regions far from saturation, μ is greater than 200-300 for most magnetic materials used in electromagnets. For example μ becomes less then 100 for mild steel at B>1.65 T. So the assumption we made appears reasonable.

Since we neglected scattering magnetic field in air, the magnetic field flux in the slot can be written as $\begin{matrix} {{\Phi = {\left. {B \cdot S}\Rightarrow\Phi \right. = {2 \cdot \pi \cdot R \cdot h \cdot \frac{I \cdot N \cdot \mu_{0}}{\delta}}}},} & (3) \end{matrix}$ where h is the thickness of the stator, FIG. 5 and S=2·π·R·h is the area of the cross-section of the slot perpendicular to the magnetic flux, FIG. 5. B. Torque and Power

Now let us calculate the torque applied to the rotor. The Ampere force applied to a rotating frame is F=J·B _(δ) ·h  (4) where J is the frame currents see FIG. 4 c. The total torque for n frames can be written as $\begin{matrix} {{M = {{n \cdot F \cdot R} = {\left. {n \cdot J \cdot R \cdot B_{\delta} \cdot h}\Rightarrow M \right. = \frac{n \cdot J \cdot \Phi}{2 \cdot \pi}}}},} & (5) \end{matrix}$ and mechanical power at the rotor is $\begin{matrix} {{P_{mechanic} = {{M \cdot \omega} = \frac{n \cdot J \cdot \Phi \cdot \omega}{2 \cdot \pi}}},} & (6) \end{matrix}$ where ω=2·π·v is the rotor angular velocity in radians per second, and v is the rotor rps. Eqs. (5) and (6) show that at a given magnetic flux (given by the number of coil spires multiplied by the coil current), current in a frame, and rotor rps, the torque and mechanical power of the motor is independent on the radius of the slot; here we have assumed that R>r_(core), where r_(core) is an averaged radius of the magnetic core, see FIG. 5.

Now let us estimate parameters of the motor with the following parameters: R=12 cm, B_(δ)=0.4 T, h=5.5 cm, v=3000 rpm, n=16, and the motor mechanical power P_(mechnnic)=2 kW. Substituting these parameters for induction potential ε=B·h·2·π·R·v,  (7) we obtain that the induction potential on one frame is ε=0.83 V, and total voltage for 16 frames is about 13 Volts. Thus, we obtain that the current in such a machine is J=154 A. Here we have neglected the ohm resistance in the “active” part of the frame where the magnetic flux crosses the frame (in the slot region), see FIG. 5. As we will see below this assumption is very reasonable. C. Continuously-Sliding Contacts

A very important parameter of the machine is the linear velocity of the continuously-sliding contact (for example, the brush in Mueller's patent) relative to the stationary ring fixed to the stator, FIG. 4 c. Taking for example the following parameters of the motor: v=50 rps (3000 rpm) and the radial position of continuously sliding contacts as r_(o)=3 cm, see FIG. 5, we obtain that the linear velocity of the frame continuosly-sliding contact (FIG. 4 c) is 9.42 m/sec. Since brush-type contacts can easily work at speeds of 10-60 m/sec, we may conclude that brushes might be used in multi-frame machine as well in multi-cylinder machine. It is worth noting that the liquid-metal-brush contacts work at much larger speeds and can be used in these machines as well.

D. Loss Factor

1. Loss in continuously-sliding contacts. While brush-type collector (contact) slides along the stationary plate the continuously breakdown of oxide film occurs on the surface of the stationary plate. The contact voltage drop, U_(contact), depends on both brush material and the material of the stationary plate (contact materials). For a carbon brush and bronze U_(contact)<0.15 v per contact. The contact voltage drop for a NaK liquid-metal-brush is 0.03 V per contact. The total power loss in contacts is P _(contact)=2·n·J·U _(contact)  (8)

The factor of two in Eq. (8) appears because of two contacts per frame. Thus, we obtain P _(contact)=32·0.1·154=492 W for carbon brush and bronze contact ring  (9a) P _(contact)=32·0.03·154=148 W for NaK liquid-metal-brush type contact  (9b)

2. Power loss in the rotor (in frames) Taking the length of the frame, I_(frame) (see FIG. 4 a), as 20 cm, the cross-section area of the frame, S_(frame), as to 0.9 cm², the material frame resistivity, ρ_(frame), as 1.7·10⁻⁶ Ohm-cm, and using the formula for the power loss in rotor, $\begin{matrix} {{P_{rotor} = {J^{2} \cdot n \cdot \left( {{2 \cdot R} + l_{frame}} \right) \cdot \frac{\rho}{S_{frame}}}},} & (10) \end{matrix}$ we obtain P_(rotor)=32 W.

3. Power loss in coil. To create magnetic field B_(δ)=0.4 T in the slot width of δ=1 cm, we need to have $\begin{matrix} {{N \cdot J} = {\frac{B_{\delta} \cdot \delta}{\mu_{0}} = {{3185\quad\left\lbrack {A \cdot {loops}} \right\rbrack}.}}} & (11) \end{matrix}$

Taking for example the coil current equal to 2 A we obtain that number of coil loops is 1593. The Ohm resistance of a coil, A_(coil), is $\begin{matrix} {{\Lambda_{coil} = {N \cdot \frac{2 \cdot \pi \cdot R_{coil} \cdot \rho_{wirel}}{S_{wire}}}},} & (12) \end{matrix}$ where R_(coil) is an averaged radius of the coil, FIG. 5, S_(wire) is the cross-section area of the coil wire and P_(wire) is the resistivity of wire material. Taking R_(coil)=4 cm, S_(wire)=0.01 cm², and ρ_(wire)=1.7·10⁻⁶ Ohm cm, we obtain Λ_(coil)=6.8 Ohm. Substituting coil resistance in Ohm's Law we obtain that the power loss in coil is equal to P _(coil) =I ²·Λ_(coil)=25 W.  (13)

4. Power loss due to mechanical friction in continuously-sliding contacts. The power loss due to friction in brush-type contacts can be calculated as the force with which a brush is pressed to the apposite contact multiplied by the friction coefficient and the velocity of the brush. Taking the pressure of the brush to the apposite contact surface as 2 N/m² (typical brush pressures lead in regions 1.5-2.5 N/m²), the friction coefficient as 0.2, the total area of all brushes as 30 cm², and the brushes velocity as 9.42 m/sec, we obtain that the power loss due to the friction in the contacts is P _(friction)=2[N/m ²]·3·10⁻³ [m ²]·0.2[friction coefficient]·9.42[m/sec]=11.3 W  (14)

In liquid-metal-brush type contacts P_(friction) is much smaller than for brush type contacts and can be ignored here. It is worth noting, that the power loss for liquid-metal-brush contacts increases as speed in power 3, and becomes to be very important for velocities of several hundreds meters per second.

5. Power loss in bearings. Usually the power loss in bearings due to air resistance is less then 2% of mechanical; in our case, it is 40 W.

Thus, the total power losses for the machine with brush contacts and liquid-metal brush contacts are p_(loss) ^(brush)=492+32+25+11.3+40=601 W and p_(loss) ^(liquid)=148+32+25+11.3+40=257 W respectively. Thus, the loss factor is $\begin{matrix} {\eta_{brash} = {{{\frac{601}{601 + 2000} \cdot 100}\%} = {23\%}}} & (15) \\ {\eta_{{liquid} - {brush}} = {{{\frac{257}{257 + 2000} \cdot 100}\%} = {11\%}}} & (16) \end{matrix}$ E. Power Loss in the “Active” Part of the Frame

Since power loss in a resistor is proportional to its length, we may estimate the power loss in “active” lengths of the frames, where the magnetic flux crosses frames as $\begin{matrix} {P_{active} = {{P_{rotor} \cdot \frac{h}{{2 \cdot R} + l_{frame}}} = {{32 \cdot \frac{5.5}{{2 \cdot 12} + 20}} = {4\quad{W.}}}}} & (17) \end{matrix}$

As we may see this power loss is small and can be neglected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Schematic of cross-section of Faraday's homopolar (unipolar) generator-motor. The conducting disk 8 is fixed to the rotating shaft 1 through the insulator 5. Permanent magnet (or electromagnet) 2 creates the vertical magnetic field B 9, the permanent magnet is stationary. The continuously-sliding electrical contacts (collectors) 4 a and 4 b are fixed to the stator by non-conductive holders 3 a and 3 b. The electrical current J goes through the conductive disk from the edge of the disk to its center, direction of the current is shown by arrow 8. The J×B force rotates the disc. The sliding contacts are connected to the power supply 6 by wires 7.

FIG. 2. An axial cross section of multi-disc homopolar Mueller's machine. The housing-stator 10 made from magnetic material and support the coil 11. The central part of stator made from nonmagnetic material with radial ribs supporting the stator conductive discs 15 a-15 d. The stator discs have axially extending annual ribs providing electrical contacts to the rotor conductive discs 16 a-16 e. Nonconductive bushings 17 a-17 e supports rotor discs and electrically separate them from the shaft 19. Conventional brushes 16 a-16 d are fixed to the nonconductive holders 17 a-17 d, and connected to the power supply 20 by wires 21. Bearings 18 a and 18 b support the shaft in the stator. The broken lines schematically show the magnetic field lines, illustrating J×B force in the Mueller's machine.

FIG. 3 a. Parts of the proposed homopolar one-cylindrical electrical engine (generator, motor). The stator consists: of cylindrical magnet (electromagnet) 22; the ferromagnetic discs 23 a and 23 b, with the hole 24 in the top disc 23 a for the wire; non-conductive non-magnetic rode 25; and the continuously-sliding contacts 26 a and 26 b with nonconductive washers fixed to the magnet and the rode respectively. The rotor consists of: the conductive hollow cylinder 27 in the housing 28 a and 28 b, and the bearings 29 a and 29 b.

FIG. 3 b. Proposed homopolar one-cylindrical engine (generator, motor) in assembly: 30 is power supply and 31 is wirring. The direction of the magnetic fields between the ferromagnetic discs and direction of the current in the conductive hollow cylinder are shown by arrows.

FIG. 3 c. Proposed homopolar multi-cylinder engine (generator, motor) with four hollow cylinders.

FIG. 3 d. Proposed homopolar (unipolar) ac multi-disk engine (generator, motor) with four hollow cylinders. An electromagnet is used instead of a permanent magnet. The electromagnet wire is connected to the rotor in series. Such motors can work in ac regime as well.

FIG. 4 a. Parts of homopolar multi-frame machine. Π shape rotor frame 32 is welded or bolted or fixed by any other means to conductive rings 33 with nonconductive washers 34. Two brushes 35 (or other continuously-sliding contacts) are attached (bolted or welded) to the each ring.

FIG. 4 b. Parts of homopolar multi-frame machine. View of hollow cylindrical electromagnet system 36 with an annual slot 37. The hollow cylindrical electromagnet is fixed to a hollow nonmagnetic cylinder 38. The hole along the core of the electromagnet 39 and the hole along the attached nonmagnetic hollow cylinder 40 are used for wiring of the rotor and the coil, FIG. 4 c.

FIG. 4 c. Cross-section of a homopolar multi-frame machine with two frames: 32, 33, 34 show a frame fixed to conducting ring with nonconductive washers; 35 shows a continuously sliding contact; 37 shows is an annual slot in the ferromagnetic hollow cylinder 41; 42 shows the electromagnet coil; 43 shows a bearing supporting the rotor-frame; 44 shows a conductive ring (with dielectric bushings) fixed to the electromagnet and used as a stationary contact for the frame rotating brush.; 45 shows a hole for wiring of conductive ring; 48 shows wiring of the motor. The broken line 46 illustrates a magnetic filed line and arrows 47 illustrate the direction of the current in the frames.

FIG. 4 d. A possible rotor design of homopolar multi-frames machine where the rotor 49 incorporates all frames in one cylinder; only one frame is shown, where 50 shows a frame, 51 shows insulator around the frame, 52 shows a bearing.

FIG. 5. Cross-section of a magnetic stator of homopolar multi-frame machine, where 53 indicate the “active” part of the frame, where magnetic flux crosses the frame. 

1. A method of increasing the working voltages and decreasing the working currents of dc and ac homopolar (unipolar) engines, motors, and generators at given applied powers and giving torques by using a rotor consisting from two or more conductors (hollow-conductive cylinders for example, FIG. 3), which are in electrical contact with a stationary electrical circuit in such a manner that the current passing though the conductors is directed through all conductors serially and in the same direction, therefore the J×B force applied to each conductor rotates them in the same direction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductors of a rotor, for example hollow-conductive cylinders, FIG. 3 or Π-shaped conductors, FIG. 4, or any other rotor conductors, are connected with stationary electrical circuit by continuously-sliding contacts (brush-type collectors or liquid-metal brush contacts or any other continuously-sliding collectors-contacts) or by any other means as shown in FIG.
 3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used to provide electrical connections of the rotor conductors in series.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a H-shape stator magnet (electromagnet) for hollow-cylindrical type rotor, FIG. 3, and a cylindrical-type stator magnet (electromagnet) with a slot for a frame-type rotor with an empty core for wiring, FIG. 4, are used to create the magnetic field for the J×B force applied to rotor conductors. 